The Nigerian Government has cancelled the 2022 National Language Policy, which made mother tongue or the local language the medium of instruction from early childhood to Primary Six.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced the reversal at the opening of the Language in Education International Conference 2025, organised by the British Council in Abuja on Nov. 12.
Alausa said English will now be the language of instruction across all levels, from primary to tertiary institutions — noting that the mother tongue policy had harmed education outcomes. “The National Policy on Language has been cancelled. English is now the language of instruction in our schools,” he stated.
He said research by the ministry showed that students were advancing through school without mastering basic skills. “We’ve seen total destruction of Nigeria’s system, where children graduate up to JSS Three or even SS Three without learning anything. They go on to sit national exams—WAEC, JAMB, NECO—and fail.”” he said.
Alausa explained that Nigeria’s linguistic diversity made the mother tongue policy difficult to implement. “Exams are conducted in English, but we taught these kids through their mother tongue.
In Borno State, the mother tongue is Hausa, but many speak Kanuri. In Lagos, areas like Ajegunle have predominantly southeastern populations, but 90% of teachers are from the southwest. This diversity requires a unified approach to language instruction,” he said.
British Council Country Director, Donna McGowan, said the conference aims to improve English proficiency and explore how language can enhance inclusion and learning outcomes across education systems.
